Coolant change/flush

[nine6stroker]

Ok guys, so I started my HVAC class yesterday in the autmotive program where I'm attending school. Today I asked the instructor if could change my coolant/flush the system sometime in class, and he said yes. And since I have no idea on the cooling system mantinance/history for my truck, I figured I would take the opporitunity.

So... since I've never done this before, I was hoping for a few pointers. I did some brief searching, but didn't quit find what I was looking for (I'm in class though, so I didn't have a lot of time to search).

I guess what I'm looking for is any pointers/guides on doing a cooling system flush, and what kind of coolant would be the best for the old 7.3?

Thanks in adcance!

[Dietoremain]

ELC coolant is important for these engines or a coolant with SCA additives which you'd have to add.

[nine6stroker]

Whats ELC? Extended Life Coolant?

Ive heard a lot of talk about people using CAT or International ELC in the 7.3. Is there a certain brand that the 7.3`s work with the best? And do all the coolants need those additives or just some of the brands?

[ridiculously_necessary]

unless the coolant is EC-1 rated it will need SCA to my understanding. I did this a few weeks back, snagged 5 gallons (youll need 4) of CAT ELC concentrate for $20 a gallon. youll need four gallons of distilled water for the final fill. 8 gallons capacity total.

for the flush, opinions vary. if you have really clean pure tap you can flush with tap water. we do, but i still flushed with distilled. it was 88 cents a gallon at wally world so i figured why not?

you could use the 50/50 mix, but ive found its more expenive. and with concentrate you have a good idea of how much was left in the sytem and can guage your mix when you fill. NOTE: there are two pipe plugs in the block, one by the oil cooler and one by the starter. mine were corroded and stripped with little force. had to use an easy out to pull them. since your in CO and have a winter, id get those plugs out (1/4" wrench head) and replace them with new allen plugs. for me 93 cents a plug at the hardware store.

also, its a good tiem to check your oil cooler for leaks, if you have oil in your coolant its a good time to rebuild the cooler since you have to drain the coolant to do it anyway. mine leaks oil outside and was going to rebuild it, but the hardest bolt to get to stripped. ill let my mechanic take care of it next oil change...

[Dietoremain]

Correct EC-1 rated coolants are good to go, no additives, worth the price IMO.

[96F350KID]

What ever your do don't use the coolant flush fluid. It is a somewhat diluted form of sulferic acid and will ruin water pumps, heater cores and even block plugs. Just my .02 cents